Furniture structure



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July 3o, 1957 M. KOENIGSBERG FURNITURE STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 5, 19,54

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FURNITURE- STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed OCT.. 5, 1954 INVENTOR.

#//Lyf/l United States Patent FURNITURE STRUCTURE Max Koenigsberg, Highland Park, Ill., assignor to rI he Englander Company, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application 4October 5, 1954Serial No. 460,472

9 Claims. (Cl. 15S- 180) The presentinvention relates to a novel furniture structure and more particularly, to a furniture structure including a metal frame, a spring unit, and covering fabric secured together inthe novel manner and adapted to be used in furniture such as chairs, divans, beds, vehicle seats, and the like.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel furniture structure wherein a spring unit and a coveringfabric are secured to a metal frame member in a simple and economical manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel furniture structure wherein a spring unit and covering fabric are secured to a metal frame member without the aid of auxiliary fastening devices such as screws, staples and the like.

A more specic object of the present invention is to provide a novel furniture structure ofthe above described type wherein'the metal frame member includes integral means for securing a spring unit and covering fabric thereto.

Other objects and advantages of the present'invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying -drawings wherein:

lFig. 1 is a fragmentary cross sectional view showing a piece of furniture `embodying the'novel structure of this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View showing the novel structure of this invention in a partially assembled condition;

Fia. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view showing the novel structure of this invention in its fully assembled condition;

Figs. 4 and 5 are cross sectional views of a slightly modified form of lthe present invention and respectively showing 'the structure in a partially assembled and vfully assembled condition;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the novel structure of `this invention;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing another modified form of the present invention in a-partially assembled condition;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the structure shown in :Fig 7 in its fully assembled condition;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary cross sectional view showing a further modified form of the present invention which incorporates certain features of the structures shown in Figs. 3 and 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of another moditied form of the present invention which incorporates other features of the structures shown in Figs. 3 and 8;

Figs. 1l and l2 are fragmentary cross sectional views respectively showing still another modified form of the present invention in a partially assembled and fully assembled condition; and

Fig. 13 is -a fragmentary plan view of the structures Shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

lshown in Figs. l and 6 and includes a generally rectangular frame 22 provided by sheet metal frame members 24, a plurality of frame supporting legs 26, only one of which is shown, a spring .unit 28, a :fabric dust cover 30 disposed on `the frame and beneath the spring unit, an outer covering fabric .32 and a cushion or mattress 34. The spring Vunit `may be Vof any'desired structure which includes a plurality of coil springs 36.

As shown best in Figs. 2.and3, each of the sheet metal frame members .24 includes a vertical web portion 38 having horizontalllanges 40and 42, respectively,extend ing-inwardly of the frame .from upper and lower margins ofthe web portion. Preferablyfthe web portion is formed with a centrally located longitudinally extending channel section `43 for increasing the strength and Vrigidity thereof.

In accordance -with -the ,present invention, the spring Vunit and the Vfabric panels 30 and 32 are secured in assembled relationship with the metal frame member in an extremely simple and therefore economi-cal manner. More specilically, the spring unit is secured to the metal frame member by striking a plurality of tabs l44 from the upper liange 40 of the frame member, which tabs are arranged in alignment with the individual coil springs of the unit as shown in Fig. 6. The tabs 44 are initially formed so that they extend upwardly as shown in Fig. 2 and .after lthe spring unit has been placed on the metal frame, each of Vthe .tabs is bent around a-portion of the bottom end wirecoil 47 of an associated coil spring as shown inFig. 3.

In order .to simplify the structure, the cover 30 is also secured to the frame members 'by means of the tabs 44. Thus, before the spring unit is placed on the frame members, the dust cover 30 is stretched across `the frame members and impaled on the pointed tabs 44. Upon subsequent Vassemblyof the spring unit and folding of the tabs 44 inthe manner described above, the dust cover will be permanently and securely fastened in position.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the outer covering fabric panel 32 is secured to the metal frame members lby means of a plurality of pointed tabs 48 struck from the lower flanges 42 of .the frame members. As shown in Fig. 2, the tabs 48 are initially Yformed so that they extend downwardly Vfrom the frame member whereby a marginal edge of the fabric panel 32 maybe easily impaled thereon. After the marginal edge 32 has been placed onto the .-tabs, the tabs 48 .are preferably bent rearwardly and toward the ange 42, as shown in Fig. 3, to fasten the panel in a secure manner. In order substantially to eliminate any possibility of the fabric 32 being torn or otherwise injured by the tabs 48, the margin of the panel is folded and sewn to provide a double thickness hem iand an velongated wire 50 is inserted through the hem. This wire serves to spread any undue stresses applied to the fabric at the tabs 4S so as to prevent tearing of the fabric.

Figs. 4 and 5 show a slightly modified form of the present invention which is substantially 'identical `to the above structure Vas indicated by the application of identical reference numerals with the vsuilix"a added to corresponding elernents. This embodiment differs only in that the tabs 44a and 48a are vformed so that they are positioned reversely of the similar tabs 44 and V48 described above. With this arrangement the folding ofthe tabs 44a to their final -positions is lfacilitated since they may be folded by lmeans of a blunt instrument, not shown, pressed inwardly kagainst the covering panel 32a. In addition, this arrangement of the tabs 48a provides a more secure fastening ofthe margin of the panel 32a: since the tabs may be folded so that the hem and Ywire are tightly clamped against the ange 42a.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 13, there is shown another modified 'form of the lpresent invention which is similar to Ythe above describedl structures as indicated by the application of identical reference numerals with the suffix` b addedto corresponding elements. In this embodiment,

Van elongated fabric strip 52 is sewn to'fthe panel 32h as at 54 and 56 to provide a loop positioned to overlie the upper flange 4Gb of the frame member. Anolongated wire 50b is inserted within the doubleV thickness flap provided by the fabric strip. With this additional structure, the fabric panel. 321; is primarily secured to the frame member by inserting -the tabs 44b through the fabric strip as shown in Fig. 7 and wrapping the tabs around the wire 50h as shownin Fig. 8. Preferably, the fabric panel 32b is extended downwardly as yindicated by the reference numeral 58 to cover the outer surface of the frame member and this portionrof the panel may be glued to the frame member so that it'WillV present a pleasant, smooth appearance.

In the structure shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 13, the spring unit is provided with a border wire 60 of known construction and secured to fthe coil springs in any known manner such as by staples 62. ,In addition, the tabs 44b 'are arranged between the coil springs rather than in aligntion have been shown and described above, it is obvious that many structural details may be changed without ,ment therewith. Thus, in order to secure a spring unit v to the frame member, the tabs 44b are wrapped around portions ofthe border wire 60.

In certain instances, it may be desirable to arrange the dust cover beneath the metal frame rather than on top of the metal frame. This arrangement of the dust cover is shown in Figs. 7 and 8 and the dust cover is A secured to the frame by means of the tabs 48b.

Fig. 9 shows a modified form of the present invention which incorporates certain features of the structures illustrated in Figs. 3 and 8 as indicated by the application of identical reference numerals with the sux c addedY to corresponding elements. It is seen that in the structure shown in Fig. 9, the fabric panel 32e is provided with a double thickness ap 52C through which a wire 50c extendsso that the panel may be secured to the frame member by means of the tabs 44e. cally, the structure is similar to that shown in Fig. 3 in that the dust cover a` is rst arranged across Vthe top of the frame member Yand Vir'npaled on-the tabs, Vand the tabs are` disposed in alignment Vwith the coil springs of the frame unit and are wrapped around end coils of thesprings. v.

Fig. V10 -discloses another slightly modified form of the present invention which is most similar to the embodi- More specito the frame member. While the prongs 44e are shown as being wrapped around the border wire, it was understood that the prongs or tabs may be arranged in alignment with the coil springs of the spring uni-t and wrapped Varound end coils of the springs in the manner described above. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the tabs 44e 'are struck from thefiiange 40e so that they extend upwardly from thervertical web 38e of the frame member. With this arrangement, the hem of the fabric .panel 32e is fixed so that the panel is invertical alignstructure wherein a spring, unit and one or more fabric panels may be easily `andeconomically secured in aS- sembled relationship 'with a metal frame member by means of tabs integral with the frame member.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invendeparting from the @spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The Vinvention is claimed as follows: l.V A furniture structure of the type described com- '1 prising a rectangular support frame including sheet metal Aside frame members having generally horizontal flanges,

` fa spring unit disposed on said frame member anges, a 35 fabricv panel associated with said frame members, and integral tab means struck from said frame member lflanges, impinging said fabric panel and formed around wire portions of'said spring unit for securing said frame members, said spring unit and said fabric panel in assembled relationship.4 n Y 2. Afurm'ture lstructure of thetype described com- V--prising a rectangular supportframe including sheet metal -a plurality of integral tab means struck from within Yment shown in Fig. 8 as indicatedV bythe application of identical reference numerals with the sufiix Vdf added to corresponding elements. This embodiment differs in that the dust cover 30d is arranged on top of the-.frame Vmembers and Yis secured bythe tabs 44cm the same Ymanner that i-t is secured in-thestructureshown in Fig.

3 described above. With this structure as well' as the structure-shown in Fig. 9, it is seen that the same tabs may be used for securing both of rthefabricjpanels and the spring unit in assembled relationship theframe members. K 7. Figs. 11Y and 12 illustrate still another slightly modifedrform of the present invention as indicated by the f application of identical reference numerals with-thel suftix e added to `correspondingielements.Y In'this' eingbodiment, the outer coverpanel32e is formed so that'it terminates at the upper'edge of the frameA member-124 whereby considerable savings in materialmay be effected. 'The' prongs or tabs 44e are inserted-through the henfof the panel 32e Yand wrapped around thewire 50eY as shownr sembled relation-ship. .1

'1 side frame members having generally horizontal flanges,

a spring unit disposed on said frame member flanges, a fabric panel associated with said frame members, and

boundaries of said frame member anges, each of Vsaid tab means impinging said fabric panel and alsoconfining a wire portion of said spring unit for securingftheframe members, the spring unit and said fab 'c panel .in V as- 3. A furniture structure of the type described comprising a rectangular support frame including 'sheet metal side frame members having upper inturned generally horizontal flanges, a spring unit disposed on said-'frame member flanges, a fabric means associated with-said frame members, and a plurality of integral tabs struck from-said frame member fianges, each of said tabs impinging said fabric means and confining an end coil of a coil spring in the spring unit for securing said frame members, said spring unit fand said fabric means in assembled relationship.

4. A yfurniture structure of the type described comprising a rectangular support frame including sheet metal side frame members having upper inturned generally horizontal flanges, a spring unit disposed on said frame member flanges, fabric means associated with said frame members, and a plurality of integralV tabs struck from'said frame member flanges, each of said tabs impinging said fabric means and confining a portion of la border wire of said spring unit'for securing said frame members, said spring.V unit and said fabric means Vin assembled relationship.

in Fig. 12. vIn addition, the nprongs A44e are` Wrapped around the border wire 60e for securing the spring unitV 5. A furniture structure of the-type described comprising a rectangular support frame including sheet metal If the tabs 44e were located inwardly of the-web side frame members having generally horizontal anges, a dust cover disposed -on said frame member anges, la spring unit disposed on said frame member flanges and over said dust cover, and integral tab means struck from said frame member flanges, said tab means impinging said dust cover and encircling a wire portion of said spring unit for securing said frame members, said spring unit and said dust cover in assembled relationship.

6. A furniture structure of the type described comprising a rectangular support frame including sheet metal side frame members having generally horizontal flanges, a spring unit disposed on said frame member flanges, fabric panel means covering said spring unit, and a plurality of integral tabs struck from said frame member flanges, said fabric panel means having a folded portion impinged by said tabs and an elongated Wire extending longitudinally through said folded portion, said tabs being formed around said elongated wire and around a Wire portion of said spring unit for securing said frame members, said spring unit and said fabric means in assembled relationship.

7. A furniture structure of the type described comprising a rectangular support frame including sheet metal side frame members having upper inturned generally horizontal flanges, -a dust cover disposed on said frame member flanges, a spring unit disposed on said frame member flanges and over said dust cover, fabric panel means covering said spring unit, and a plurality of integral tab means struck from said frame member flanges, each of said tab means impinging said dust cover and said fabric panel means, `and confining a portion of said spring unit for securing said frame members, said spring unit, said dust cover and said fabric panel means in assembled relationship.

8. A furniture structure of the type described comprising a rectangular support frame including sheet metal side frame members each having `a substantially vertical web land a substantially horizontal flange extending inwardly from an upper margin of said web, a spring unit disposed on said flanges, a fabric panel covering said spring unit and depending along said web, flap means secured to said fabric panel and extending over said flanges, and integral tab means struck from said flanges, said tab means impinging said flap means and conning a portion of said spring unit for securing said frame members, said spring unit and said fabric panel in assembled relationship.

9. A furniture structure of the type described comprising a rectangular support frame including sheet metal side frame members each having a substantially vertical web portion and a generally horizontal flange extending inwardly from an upper margin of said Web portion, a spring unit disposed on said flanges, a fabric panel covering said spring unit and having a bottom margin terminating Vat and iu substantial vertical alignment with said upper margins of said frame member web portions, and integral tab means struck from said flanges and extending from said upper margins of `said web portions, `said tab means impinging said bottom margin, of said fabric panel, and confining a portion of said spring unit for securing said frame members, said spring unit and said fabric panel in assembled relationship.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,129,337 DArcy Feb. 23, 1915 1,729,559 Stubnitz Sept. 24, 1929 2,107,446 Koliba Feb. 8, 1938 2,449,500 Nordmark Sept. 14, 1948 2,644,510 Benmax July 7, 1953 

